Week 4 Blog Assignment

Olenda Ingram

Author:Olenda Ingram
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 
Subject: RE: Group 1

My URL is olendaingram.wordpress.com

                                          Words of  Inspiration and Motivation

I really enjoyed this weeks assignment concerning passion and education. Education is such a broad subject to discuss but early childhood development peeks my passion.

I was able to study or at least read about two different people – male and female that influenced my passion by their quotes. Lyndon B. Johnson and Susan Bedekamp were or have been instrumental in the study and development of early childhood learning.

Lyndon B. Johnson quoted this “Until justice is blind to color, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men’s skins, emancipation will be a proclamation but nota fact. This quote is inspirational to me on so many levels because educational leaders all have their own viewpoint and agenda that specificaly target certain races and thinking that one race is more superior than others.

I agree with Mr. Johnson that education should see no color and just meet the identified needs of the learners.

Another quote that sparked my passion was where he quoted “Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity.”

I believe if a person is given the opportunity to learn then you have helped them discover many opportunities and possibilities to make their mark and contribution to society. It would be one thing if you gave a person one million dollars and they were never exposed to investing money through learning; then the money would not be used in the most resourceful way. Education affords the person the opportunity to have the knowledge and apply that knowledge where it is most beneficial. This is where education now becomes an opportunity.

Susan Bedekamp is another person I chose to quote. Her passion is very evident as it relates to early child care. She is all about the child being able to dictate their learning environment. One quote I agreed with strongly is where she quoted “child-initiated activity is all that’s important and that teacher-directed instruction or any form of teacher-directed activity is not appropriate.”

Her second quote “The fact that not only do you have to consider children as individuals, but you also have to consider children as members of groups with their own cultural identities.”

 Children employ their surroundings and culture to the way they learn. They have to know and develop in their thinking is shaped by educators orchild care providers but will look from within their culture (as adults) as well as group associations to mark what theyare and who they

 Ms. Bedekamp reallyinspired my passion to let children be children and learn as children. A thriving early childhood learner is a pleasant thing to see like a fresh breath of air.

I desire that all children have an equal oppotunity learning experience and it is my drive and passion to make that happen.

 Renatta M. Cooper is an early childhood specialist that I was able to listen on the multi-media file and she quoted that “every year there were specific problems that targeted children and their families”. One problem she faced was a child and a dying parent and how she had to problem solve that matter in the best interest of the child. Renatta challenged me to look beyond scope and seek out other issues not directed to education but that could potenitailly impact education. I would initiate family planning into my program that would identify needs such as this one.

Leticia Laura was the second person I was able to view from the multi-media file and she was a Liscensed Social Worker who was more values and beliefs driven. She wanted to meet the pscycho-social needs of the child as prescribed by her profession. My interest lie as well in the whole well being of children. I would incorporate counseling services within my center to make sure at least most if not all of the children’s needs are met. Leticia challenges me to be inspired by my passion and to let it reflect in my profession.

Personal Childhood Web

As I reflect on my childhood influences – four names come to mind.

My mother Dorothy J. Long is the major influence in my life. As a young girl she limited my interaction with people. My mom had strong intuition and she was a single parent, I believe this is why she was so protective. If I must add, I was a mommy’s girl. I remember having the best of everything even though she was the only breadwinner in our home. She was not much of the “come sit in my lap” type but a giving and strict disciplinarian. Even though that’s how she nurtured and showed love to my sisters and I it has helped me become the person I am today. Her strength and sharp wit always accounted for her limited education. My mother had an eighth grade education but you would not be able to tell even today. She somehow managed to open her own business and still works today at 76. How you like them apples….. She taught my sisters and I to work hard, get an education beyond a high school diploma, and to always help others. I love her dearly and owe much of my success to her.

The next person on my list would include my Aunt Amanda. She was a devoted wife with no children of her own. Often she would want me to spend the night at her house but many times I would decline. I reflected later in my life how she took such great care of my sisters and I would go along for the ride…. Don’t judge me! My aunt was a school teacher and a very good one I might add. Her listening ear and kind heart was ripe for any student of hers to bear. Aunt Amanda’s smile would light up a room- she exuded an innocence that was noticeable. I desired to become a teacher because she inspired me to impact the lives of others (more specifically children). Her skill-set ranged from Pre-K to grade 12 including teaching children with “special needs”. She had impeccable patience and knew just what to say and when to say it. She was just a good “old school girl” and teacher.

Nettie Brown a.k.a. Madear! Everyone I know has a Madear in the family. My grandmother was influential in my early life as she helped my mother take care of me and my sisters. She was a maid by trade but that did not diminish her worth in my sight. Madear was a hard worker and she encouraged us to read by having books for us to read. She was a gentle soul and had a tender spot for her grandchildren. I don’t remember her being a woman of many words but when she spoke it resounded to all in listening view.  My grandmother influenced my life by being a help to my mom. I felt very safe with her and I admired her Christianity. It was visible for all to see.

The saying goes – It takes a village to raise a child. I don’t know about a village because my mother did not play the village thing. However, it is because she allowed me to be around these dynamic ladies that I was able to respect rules, boundaries, roles, equilibrium, hierarchy, and climate in our family dynamic.